VIDEO: Beitar fans assault McDonald’s Arab employees

Police arrest seven after violence breaks out at restaurant where chairs were tossed and punches were thrown, all on camera.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Betar Jerusalem fans 370 (photo credit: Nir Elias/Reuters)
Betar Jerusalem fans 370
(photo credit: Nir Elias/Reuters)
                   
Seven Beitar Jerusalem fans were arrested Monday after assaulting two Arab employees of an area McDonald’s. According to police, the violence broke out when dozens of the soccer fans gathered in front of the restaurant and were asked to leave by the employees.
Documented by security cameras, a video shows several men in the group blocking the entrance to the McDonald’s before two of the suspects forced their way through the glass doors and began throwing punches and chairs at the Arab employees.
Beitar Jerusalem fans (Reuters)
Beitar Jerusalem fans (Reuters)
“Several of the fans were sitting outside, when two Arab employees [of the McDonald’s] stepped outside and told them they can’t sit there,” an unidentified witness told Ynet. “People started pushing each other, but the whole thing was quickly resolved. There may have been some racist slurs as part of a song, but not pointed at someone in particular,” he added.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Tuesday that police arrived at the scene within minutes and immediately made arrests.
"Police units responded to the incident at the McDonald's restaurant near Betar football training grounds and two suspects were arrested at the scene, followed by five others, immediately after officers examined video footage of the incident."